If you’re choosing a DNA testing kit to try, there’s a good chance you’ve already come across Ancestry DNA. Being one of the leading brands in the niche, it’s surely popular. And still, what exactly makes it worth buying?
Here’s our take on the matter, with a quick rundown of the 10 most awesome features of the Ancestry DNA testing kits!
Detailed ethnicity tracing from 1000+ regions
Ethnicity tracing is a basic feature that all DNA testing kits provide. So, what makes this one different?
Well, what if your DNA testing kit could define not only your ethnicity in general, but trace it down to a specific region or even a city?
Roughly speaking, it’s the difference between learning that you’re 39% Italian (like most DNA testing kits would tell you) and that your ancestors were from Southern Italy, maybe from the Campania region, somewhere around the port city of Salerno. There’s beauty in details, and the team of Ancestry DNA knows that well.
A peek into your ancestors’ history timeline
Discovering your ethnicity is just the start of the fun. Ancestry DNA testing kits give you an approximate timeline of the historical events that shaped your ancestors’ lives.
For example, if you live in the US right now but your great-great-great-grandfather was from Italy, what exactly made him travel to the other side of the world? Was it war, famine, the Gold Rush, something else? How did his family settle in their new home? So many questions!
Unlike any other DNA testing kit, Ancestry DNA products can answer quite a few of those!
Billions of historical documents and photos
Ancestry DNA users get access to an enormous database of birth, marriage, and death certificates, census lists, immigration data, and even some photographs.
This approach allows you to tap into your personal history in a very intimate manner. With Ancestry DNA, your ancestors aren’t just faceless entries in a book—but real people, each with their own handwriting, picture, documents, and history.
Online family tree builder
Put your history into perspective using Ancestry DNA’s virtual family tree builder.
Start by manually building the part of your tree you personally know about, then watch the Ancestry database do its magic!
The algorithm will search through available data—20 billions of historical entries and 100 openly accessible family trees—to give you hints and suggestions of who could have been your distant relatives. (And even how did they look, if a picture is available).
This fabulous feature is available without purchasing a DNA testing kit, but combining it with the kit would surely help to estimate the accuracy of the automatic builder.
DNA matching with millions of people around the world
After using your Ancestry DNA testing kit, you can choose to upload the results to their system. This will allow you to look for genetic matches and discover relatives you never knew you had!
Of course, this step is optional, and your genetic information will never be shared with a third party of any kind.
Health reports with actionable insights
What’s the point in getting health reports based on your genes if you don’t know what to do with this information?
Ancestry DNA solves this issue by giving specific actionable tips along with your genetic health report. For example, they could recommend you to limit fat intake if your genes are likely to cause hypercholesterolemia (high blood cholesterol levels).
Health risks estimated using multiple genetic variants
Ancestry DNA takes genetic health risks seriously. That’s why their testing kits look for a long list of genetic variants to determine the most important health risks in the most accurate way possible.
For example, hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) is a syndrome that leads to an increased risk of developing these two conditions. HBOC is caused by an abnormality in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. Sounds simple, right?
Well, BRCA1 comes in 18 different variants, and BRCA2 has at least 9 of them. And that’s just one condition!
Ancestry DNA Health testing kits check multiple variants to give you an accurate estimate of your risk of developing (or passing to your children):
- Breast and ovarian cancer
- Lynch syndrome (increased risk of colon and uterine cancer)
- Cystic fibrosis (accumulation of thick mucus in the lungs, intestines, and other organs)
- Sickle cell anemia (persistent anemia due to the red blood cells having an abnormal shape)
- Tay-Sachs syndrome (degeneration of the nervous system)
- Cardiomyopathy (abnormalities of the heart muscle)
- Familial hypercholesterolemia (high blood cholesterol)
- Hereditary hemochromatosis (abnormal iron absorption from food leading to iron overload)
- Hereditary thrombophilia (increased risk of blood clots)
Access to professional genetic counseling
Sadly, many DNA testing kits don’t provide any guidance after they deliver the results—even when it’s a matter of severe or life-threatening health issues. Ancestry DNA isn’t like that.
They have partnered with PWNHealth, an independent network of physicians and genetic counselors that provide knowledge and support, as well as easy-to-understand reports that will come in handy for both patients and doctors alike.
Interactive webinars and educational videos
Besides the basic genetic counseling that’s available for everyone, patients with an increased risk of developing certain conditions will get access to interactive webinars and educational videos for additional knowledge and support specific to their issue.
Insights on how your DNA shapes your personal traits
On a more innocent and easygoing note, Ancestry DNA testing kits can give you detailed insights not only on your genetic health risks, but on what exactly in your genes makes you—you.
For example, did you know that there’s a special gene that causes aversion to cilantro? One other gene defines if you have the ”photic sneeze reflex,” meaning you sneeze when you look at the sun or some other bright light. There are also specific genes for finger length, eye color, cleft chin, and even the ability to smell asparagus in the urine (no, really!). With Ancestry DNA testing kits, you’ll be able to learn all of that.
Final thoughts
Everyone has their own reasons for buying a DNA testing kit. Some people want detailed health reports, others need in-depth data on their ancestors, and some folks just want the fun and weird information. (Like if they have a genetic aversion to cilantro).
Although Ancestry DNA testing kits give a bit of everything for all those types of people, our take is that these tests are the best pick for those who’re looking for ethnicity and ancestry data first and foremost.
The ability to visualize your ancestors’ journey through history by putting their data alongside major historical events… That puts everything into a beautiful and utterly intimate perspective.
With Ancestry DNA, your ancestry report isn’t a dry rundown of facts anymore, but a real family journey. Combine this with the ability to create semi-automatic family trees, and there you go—that’s where this DNA testing kit shines!
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